Mediation in Baabda, Mount Lebanon

The Olive Branch in Baabda

The Olive Branch provides professional mediation services to clients in Baabda and throughout Mount Lebanon in a region home to approximately 9 thousand . Our experienced mediators work remotely to help you resolve disputes efficiently and effectively, saving you time, money, and relationships.

Whether you're dealing with commercial conflicts, family matters, or workplace disputes, we offer a neutral, confidential space where all parties can speak freely and work toward mutually beneficial solutions. Our approach is grounded in real-world experience and a deep understanding of the challenges businesses and individuals face.

We understand that every dispute is unique. That's why we tailor our mediation process to your specific circumstances, ensuring that the resolution you reach is practical, lasting, and fair to everyone involved.

Lebanon

Legal Framework

Mediation in Lebanon is governed by Law No. 82/2018 on Judicial Mediation, enacted by the Lebanese Parliament in September 2018, which introduced judicial mediation into the civil system for the first time. Lebanon also enacted Law No 286/2022 in April 2022 specifically addressing Conventional Mediation. Mediation was first introduced in Lebanon in 2005 through the Centre Professionnel de Mediation at Saint Joseph University. Arbitration in Lebanon is regulated by the Lebanese Arbitration Law, codified into the Lebanese Code of Civil Procedure (LCCP), specifically Articles 762 and 765. Lebanon is considered an arbitration-friendly jurisdiction with modern arbitration legislation that reflects contemporary practice and embraces established principles of international arbitration. The Lebanese judiciary is generally supportive of the arbitral process and respectful of the parties' choice. Lebanon has signed the Arab Convention on Commercial Arbitration of 1992 and ratified the ICSID Convention in April 2003.

Court System

Judicial mediation allows parties to have recourse to mediation only after their disputes have been submitted to court and can be referred to at any time during the lawsuit and court proceedings according to Article 1 of Law No. 82/2018. Referral to mediation can take place in three instances: if proposed by a competent judge in court and approved by all parties involved; if requested by one of the parties; or if made in application of a mediation agreement clause. Article 4 of Law No. 82/2018 specifies that referrals are not subject to appeal by neither ordinary nor extraordinary means. The duration of mediation should last a maximum of 30 days from the date of referral according to Article 11, with possible extension for an additional 30 days subject to written request signed and approved by the mediator and parties. If the dispute is not settled, the relevant court will resume its proceedings. If the dispute is settled, the competent court will grant the settlement an exequatur as an enforcement order that renders it legally binding. Article 21 specifies that the settlement is not subject to appeal by the parties once submitted to court.

Mediator Regulations

Article 1(c) of Law No. 82/2018 defines the mediator as a natural person belonging to one of the mediation centres approved by the Ministry of Justice. If parties do not agree on the mediation centre referred to, the court will determine the mediation centre. The mediator is legally obliged to remain impartial and independent of all parties involved. Under Article 8(2), the mediator must sign a statement of impartiality and independence. Annex 1 of Law No. 82/2018 provides a non-exhaustive list of impartial and independent conducts: mediator must give all parties a fair and equal chance to participate, must not accept any bribes, must notify the mediation centre of any facts or circumstances that might hinder their impartiality or independence. Annex 1 further specifies that the mediator must deal with dispute details in full confidentiality and must handle proceedings in a professional and serious manner. The two main mediation centres in Lebanon are the Centre Professionnel de Mediation (CPM) at Saint Joseph University and the Lebanese Arbitration and Mediation Centre established at the Beirut Chamber of Commerce. LAMAC provides professional mediation training.

Cultural Approach

Lebanese are described as mediators by birth with mediation in their genes. Lebanon was the home of Phoenicians who historically settled commercial conflicts through mediation, known for creativity and flexibility. Recent ancestors known as 'cheikhs el soloh' (شيخ الصلح) similar to Pater familias resolved conflicts through basic forms of reconciliation. Due to diversity in culture, religion, groups and communities in Lebanon, homogeneity is absent which generates conflicts. LAMAC aims to change the culture of compromise through concession to the culture of reaching a common ground to get a win-win result. Mediation safeguards and protects relations and organises separation in a civilized way across familial, social, commercial, political, school, banking, medical and other fields. The cultural approach values mediation as a highway to the future.

Typical Costs

Specific fee structures for mediation in Lebanon are not documented in available sources. Mediation centres such as CPM at Saint Joseph University and Lebanese Arbitration and Mediation Centre would have fee structures determined by individual centres. LAMAC provides professional mediation training which would have training fees. No specific hourly or daily rates for mediators are documented. The law provides for mediation but does not detail fee structures in available sources. No specific cost provisions are documented in available sources.

Sources

Country Sources

• Lebanon Judicial Mediation Law (organization)
• LAMAC - Lebanese Association for Mediation and Conciliation (organization)
• Lebanese Arbitration and Mediation Center (organization)
• Lebanon International Arbitration Comparative Guide (organization)
• Arbitration Guide IBA Arbitration Committee LEBANON February 2012 (organization)
• GUIDE TO ARBITRATION PLACES (GAP) GAP 2nd edn. Lebanon (organization)
• New York Convention - Lebanon (organization)
• Singapore Convention on Mediation - Jurisdictions (organization)